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29 January 2013

Becoming a Trail Addict

I have a confession: I'm becoming a trail running addict. The more I run on dirt, the more I want to run on dirt, cross creeks, and master the difficult terrain. Nothing compares to the scenery and the tranquility I feel when exploring the trails. Trail running somehow feels more right than road running - and I'm afraid of what that means.

Why be afraid? Because I have a big goal to break 2 hours in the half marathon. That won't happen in a trail half (at least right now) because it's a completely different ballgame. Can I train more trail and still meet my half marathon time goal on the road? I have no idea. But I sort of want to run more trail anyway.

Whether I can do more trail racing and meet goals or not, I keep coming back to the same desire to increase my trail distances this year. I'm scheduled for my second trail half marathon of 2013 on February 23, and I'm distracted by looking at which 30K I want to choose this summer. Ideally, my next marathon will be a trail run too. I'm new to actual trail race events and only know of a couple companies so far, so if you have a fun suggestion do tell.

Perhaps my 30K trail race plans aren't grand compared to the awesome 50K+ers out there (just, wow!), but everyone starts somewhere, right? I don't know if I'll get to 50K, but I'm at least giving myself a chance at upping the trail distance. I may get to a trail marathon this year or I may shoot for a couple of 30Ks, but either way I'll be enjoying every minute on the dirt.

Also, a new piece of running gear arrived today, the Ultraspire Surge hydration pack, which I intend to be hydration for my trail running future. Aid stations are generally farther apart and I need to encourage myself to hydrate more than I currently do. I'm super excited to try it out and will be taking it for a 10 mile or so spin on Friday. Look for more info and a review next week!

Did I mention it's purple?

Know about any other trail races or companies I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Trail running is REALLY tough, I think. I struggle with it. I think that is because I try really hard to keep my pace up, which is difficult for me (and everyone, I think!) I think I just need to relax more on trails and take it easy. I want more practice for sure!

Absolutely - it's a different ball game and you just have to realize your pace will drop. Some things need to be walked if they are too steep, etc. :) But I think that's what I love, the challenge and feeling more relaxed!

Well, I was going to suggest coming up and running this one with me: http://www.siskiyououtback.com/ But I just realized its the weekend after my half ironman, so guessing I won't be doing it! You can still come up and I'll be your cheering squat :)

Re: "The more I run on dirt, the more I want to run on dirt, cross creeks, and master the difficult terrain. Nothing compares to the scenery and the tranquility I feel when exploring the trails. Trail running somehow feels more right than road running - and I'm afraid of what that means."

Look at it this way, trail runs are strength training and speedwork in disguise :-)

Seriously though. I ran a road half marathon last year that was somewhere around 2:30+. I hated that run. I wasn't ready, my leg hurt. I had no training going in and I had just gotten over the flu. Fast

Fast forward to just this past weekend, and I just ran a sub 2 hour half (trail) marathon. All of my training runs up to this point were trail runs. I paced the long ones slow (and I got a lot of long runs in). I ran some hard trails on weekends. And I even did speedwork on the trails...some hilly trails.

Still, I feel like I run slow. Yet, I hit my goal and broke a 2 hour half. Thankfully, the this trail was flat compared to the ones I've been training on... But I definitely think trails are good for speedwork and strength training.

So keep running those trails... You'll crush it on your next road half!

I've ran in two trail races and they are no joke. There are so many levels to consider during these races. Many follow mountain bike paths so at times you're hugging cliffs and sliding down rock faces trying not to get into the rock crevices! Good luck on your next trail race :)

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